Broadband low actuation voltage RF MEM switches

Abstract

We demonstrate a sub-10 volts RF MEM switch built on a semi-insulating GaAs substrate. The fabrication process is a 7-mask-layer process compatible with GaAs MMIC processes. The insertion loss is less than 0.1 dB and the isolation is better than 25 dB over frequencies up to 40 GHz. The MEM switches will provide a solution as a broadband, low voltage building block for RF communication applications.